Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
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Mass Readings
First Reading – 2 Sm 5:1-3
In those days, all the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and said: “Here we are, your bone and your flesh. In days past, when Saul was our king, it was you who led the Israelites out and brought them back. And the LORD said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel and shall be commander of Israel.'” When all the elders of Israel came to David in Hebron, King David made an agreement with them there before the LORD, and they anointed him king of Israel.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5 (R. cf.1)
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem. R.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD. R.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David. R.
Second Reading – Col 1:12-20
Brothers and sisters: Let us give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light. He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in Him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He Himself might be preeminent. For in Him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile all things for Him, making peace by the blood of His cross through Him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.
Gospel – Lk 23:35-43
The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, “He saved others, let Him save Himself if He is the chosen one, the Christ of God.” Even the soldiers jeered at Him. As they approached to offer Him wine they called out, “If You are King of the Jews, save Yourself.” Above Him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.” Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking Him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Featured Saints
Sunday takes precedence over the Optional memorials of: St. Clement I, Pope and martyr. A Roman, the third successor of St. Peter. He suffered exile in the year 98 during the reign of Emperor Trajan, who decreed his death by being cast into the sea with an anchor tied to his neck. His remains, miraculously found, are preserved in the Roman basilica dedicated to him; St. Columbanus (Columban), abbot and (†615). He set sail from his native Ireland with 12 companions and evangelized in Gaul for many years, establishing several thriving monasteries there before passing through Austria and Switzerland, and finally crossing into Italy. There, close to Milan, he founded the abbey of Bobbio where he ended his earthly journey. Memorial in Ireland.
Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, priest and martyr (†1927). Optional Memorial in USA and Mexico. Jesuit executed by a firing squad after condemnation without a trial in Guadalupe, Mexico, during persecution against the Church.
St. Trudo, priest (†circa 690). He gave all of his goods to the Church of Metz and founded a monastery there, in which he united many disciples. He died in Saint-Trond, Belgium.
St. Lucretia, martyr (fourth century). She earned the crown of martyrdom in Merida, Spain, during the Diocletian persecution.
St. Cecília Yu So-sa, martyr (†1839). A widow who, when nearly an octogenarian, was imprisoned during the religious persecution in Korea, and died as a result of the violent treatment to which she was submitted.
Blessed Maria Cecilia Cendoya Araquistain, virgin and martyr (†1936). Visitation nun shot to death in Madrid during the Spanish Civil War.
Blessed Henrietta Alfieri, virgin (†1951). Religious from the Sisters of Charity of St. Joan Antida Thouret, she exercised her apostolate with prisoners in Milan, Italy.
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